Family says slaying victim was trying to turn life around

Thursday

Jan 29, 2009 at 6:45 PMJan 29, 2009 at 9:39 PM

Alton Corey Vann, 20, of Wilmington, was found unconscious and bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head on a rural section of River Road by New Hanover County Sheriff’s deputies just before 1 a.m. Thursday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

By Chelsea KellnerStaff Writer

The last time Rebekah Murray saw her stepbrother was two days ago, when he leaned his head on her shoulder while they picked out a movie at the video store. They had always been close.“I can’t believe he’s gone,” Murray said Thursday. “Now all I’ve got is memories of him, that’s all I’ve got left of how it used to be. And I know that I’ll never see him again.”Alton Corey Vann, 20, of Wilmington, was found unconscious and bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head on a rural section of River Road by New Hanover County Sheriff’s deputies just before 1 a.m. Thursday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are investigating his death as a homicide, but had not identified any suspects.Vann’s stepmother, Janet Vann, found out three hours later. Her stepson, who went by his middle name, was friendly and hard-working, Vann said. Corey hadn’t mentioned any trouble when he stopped by for lunch two days before.“He was a good kid and a good person,” Vann said. “He did not deserve this.”Corey had gotten into trouble in the past, Vann said, including a pending assault charge through the Wilmington Police Department from last November. The North Carolina Department of Correction Web site shows multiple misdemeanor convictions, ranging from possession of stolen goods to possession of marijuana.But Corey had decided to turn his life around, Vann said, especially since he started his new job at Brunswick Cove Living Center four months ago. He planned to go back to school to get a nursing degree, his stepmom said.Corey’s co-workers at the nursing home described him as an “absolute sweetheart” who often chatted with the patients.“He was a well-liked and fun-loving person, just easygoing and pleasant to be around,” Brunswick Cove owner Zachary Miller said. “He’s the type of person you would think didn’t have any enemies.”Murray said she couldn’t imagine who would kill someone so loving and easy to talk to. They picked on each other sometimes, she said, but more often they got along, sending each other text messages and staying up late to talk about their lives.“It hurts that whoever done this took him away from us, because I wish I could see him again, just to tell him that I love him, and I miss him so much,” Murray said. “I never got to say goodbye. And that hurts the most.”

Chelsea Kellner: 343-2070chelsea.kellner@starnewsonline.com

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